Twelve Truths and a Lie Read Online Free PDF Page B

probably from running around backstage. I was surprised she even had time to step into the audience.
    I’d been behind the scenes a couple of times, and it was sheer pandemonium. Girls and hair and glitter and clothes. And in the thick of it was Sydney, right where she belonged. She thrived on it, even. But maybe right now, she just needed a two-minute breather.
    “It’s an impressive show, and I love the carnival theme this year,” I said, hugging her.
    “Did you see the costumes you helped me bling for the tap number?” she asked as she looked over her shoulder and waved to a couple of parents in the row behind us.
    Sydney was always forcing work on us—in a good-natured way—and of course, we always helped. I’d be sitting up at night watching a Netflix show while gluing tiny purple rhinestones on a skirt. The amount of bling that wound up slipping between my couch cushions, I’ll never know.
    “So, what does your week look like?” she asked Nicole and me.
    “We’re driving down with the girls to visit Michael’s parents on Friday after work,” Nicole said.
    “Same old thing,” I replied when she turned to me, avoiding the question as best I could before they could tell I was holding something back, which would be soon enough.
    “How about you, Sydney?” I asked.
    “After all of this?” She fluttered her hands at the stage. “I’m getting pampered at some spa.”
    “Sounds perfect,” Nicole said, laughing.
    “Okay, gotta run. The show will not go on without me!” Sydney threw some final air kisses our way.
    Nicole shook her head and smirked. “Whoever ends up with that vivacious girl is going to have his hands full.”

6
    Aurora
    B y the time Friday rolled around, I was excited to get out and meet my new buddy. That kind of thinking was dangerous, though, because it set me up for disappointment. But newer friendships had fewer ties that could easily be broken. At least that was what I told myself. If it seemed awkward for a while, we’d simply have to get over it.
    Cameron was already sitting at the bar and had a seat reserved for me. When he saw me, his entire face lit up, and I imagined him wooing girls with that blinding smile. No wonder he was a reformed manwhore. My panties practically melted from the get-go. But, I was here for the platonic company. Plain and simple.
    “You started early,” I remarked, draping my purse strap on the back of the stool.
    “I had some soul-searching to do.” He grinned and took a hearty sip of his draft beer. I hoped it was only his first. “I would’ve ordered for you, but I didn’t want to assume you drank the same thing every time.”
    “Thanks for that.” My hip brushed against his as I sat down, and I gulped at how thick his thigh muscle felt. “I’m actually in the mood for a margarita tonight.”
    “If that was the case, we could’ve gone to Barrios on Professor Street,” he said. “Those are the best.”
    “Darn, I hadn’t thought of that. Next time I’m in the mood, let’s meet there.”
    “It’s a date .” Color washed over his cheeks. “You know what I mean.”
    “What do you mean, Cameron?” I asked, attempting a show of honesty. I needed to start somewhere with the male population, and I figured he’d be good practice. “Is this meeting-up business between us something you want to…are you trying to…?”
    So much for being truthful; this was harder than it looked. Heat snaked in a line up my neck, singeing the tops of my ears.
    “Trying to what, Aurora?” he asked, his eyebrows knitting together. “Just spit it out.”
    “You’re not trying to…hook up with me, are you?” I winced and nearly ducked my head I was so mortified. Honesty was kind of for the birds. I took a deep breath and attempted to explain myself again. “Because it sounds to me like you just got off a year-long bender, which could probably use some examining of its own, and had a ton of dates in the process,”I said using air quotes. “And